NORTH Melbourne spearhead Ben Brown remains hopeful of playing against Hawthorn in Launceston on Sunday, but will have to prove his fitness later in the week.

Brown was concussed when his head hit the ground in a tackle by Brodie Grundy last Saturday night at Etihad Stadium, an incident that subsequently earned the Collingwood ruckman a two-game suspension.

Brown was taken to the Epworth Hospital soon after for assessment, but was released on Sunday morning.

Although he has not trained since Saturday night's game, the 200cm Roo has recovered well to date.

North's players had a day off on Wednesday, but Brown will again be put through the standard concussion protocols on Thursday with a view to training ahead of Sunday's clash at University of Tasmania Stadium.

Brown sits fourth in this year's Coleman Medal standings with 51 goals.

Meanwhile, North captain Jack Ziebell will play against the Hawks after suffering a knock to the ribs in a collision with Magpie defender Matthew Scharenberg last Saturday night.

Ziebell missed North's round 18 loss against Essendon with soreness, but has recovered well from the Scharenberg collision and fully expects to play on Sunday.